Vigilance required to prevent abuse ‘spilling’ into East Lindsey

Vigilance is required to prevent abuse of children and vulnerable adults from “spilling” into East Lindsey from large towns and cities.

That was the alert from Coun Nick Guyatt at a meeting of the district council’s executive board.

“These things can bleed into communities invidiously,” he warned. “They become enshrined without anyone noticing.”

The Wragby member’s comments came as board members discussed the authority’s newly-drafted policy document on abuse and sexual exploitation - and what procedures needed to be in place.

Coun Guyatt welcomed the document but said simply adopting a policy was not sufficient. “It’s attitude of mind that counts,”he maintained.

So far, fewer than half the council’s 60 members have signed up for training on how to detect or respond to abuse, but , following a proposed change in the council’s constitution, attendance at future courses is likely to become compulsory.

Coun Sarah Dodds, a teacher by profession, said: “Too many members are not clued up that they have a responsibility.”

A report, compiled by Semantha Neal and signed off by portfolio holder William Gray, highlights the case of Rotherham and the risk of media publicity blighting a town’s reputation with residents, employers, tourists and investors “which can have a long-lasting negative impact on an economy”.